A new bill from Sen. Catherine Blakespear, a Democrat whose district includes communities in southern Orange County, is meant to increase childcare options for military personnel. SB 99 would exempt childcare operators from needing a state license if they already have certification from the U.S. Department of Defense.
“DOD Family Child Care providers are certified via the military departments and are the largest contributor to the military services’ ability to deliver 24-hour and emergency child care needs,” Geraldine Valentino-Smith, director of the DOD Defense-State Liaison Office, said in a statement.
“Additionally, some DOD Family Child Care providers offer specialized care for unique mission-related needs in homes both on and off the installation,” Valentino-Smith added.
“By exempting military-certified Family Child Care providers from state licensure requirements that are duplicative of the certification they receive from the military services, states have the opportunity to enhance the quality of life and economic security of both the providers and military families seeking qualified child care options.”
Blakespear’s office noted that other states, including Alaska, Colorado and New Hampshire, have similar exceptions in place.
In other news:
• With the Los Angeles area still reeling from catastrophic wildfires, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a $2.5 billion relief package last week. The funding is meant to help pay for services ranging from shelters for those who have lost their homes and debris removal to expediting the rebuilding of residential homes and damaged schools.
The relief package was fast-tracked by the legislature as part of the ongoing special session, originally called to consider legislation related to the new Trump administration.
• Speaking of fires, Assemblymember Kate Sanchez, R-Rancho Santa Margarita, is behind a new bill that would add sentencing enhancements for people convicted of arson and whose actions resulted in the burning of at least 500 acres of forestland. Existing law already allows for three- to five-year enhancements for arson-related crimes, including if a firefighter is injured or if multiple structures burned, among other things.
Sanchez, who co-authored the bill with Assemblymember Heather Hardwick, R-Modoc, said AB 297 gives “law enforcement more tools to keep these dangerous arsonists out of our communities.”